Dear Readers, 
How time flies! There isn’t enough time in the day to do what needs to be done yet alone being able to partake in the many things I enjoy doing! Please accept my sincerest apologies for being so tardy in posting this blog.
Take charge of your learning environment and stop the bullying behavior. Help the victims, bystanders, and bullies by providing a positive learning environment to stop bullying in your classroom. Promote positive behavior to take the place of negative, hurtful, bullying behavior. In a positive classroom, “students can learn, teachers can teach, and education, not behavior, is the focus.”
Creating a positive classroom climate starts with developing a personal discipline plan. Your method of discipline should promote learning, develop responsible behavior, and increase enjoyment. Consider misbehavior as mistakes and find ways to be proactive to prevent such mistakes. Explain to the students your goals and approach to discipline is to create opportunities for success. Students will be more inclined to cooperate when they understand your policies and know you are working to benefit them. Develop a plan that meets your students’ needs and fits into your instructional program. Most importantly, explain how you will intervene when a student misbehaves.
Typically, teachers use discipline plans that focus on rules and consequences. This plan works well for teachers who believe they should be in control to ensure everyone meets the behavioral expectations. The plan usually includes rules, consequences, expectations, and procedures.
Consider a different approach by considering your student’s needs, your personal needs, likes and dislikes. This type of plan emphasizes preventing misbehavior by meeting students’ needs and building a rapport with students to develop personal relationships. According to C.M. Charles, this rationale fosters a sense of satisfaction and enjoyment.
Needs that need to be addressed:
- Security – feeling safe, free of worry
- Sense of hope
- Personal dignity, feeling respected
- Belonging – feeling a part of the class
- Sense of power – having some input into classroom events
- Enjoyment – pleasurable activities
- Sense of competence – being able to do many things well
It is important for students to understand that you are aware when they are uncomfortable and their needs are not met and they are unable to learn and enjoy school.
Emphasize conditions and activities that students enjoy:
- A cheerful, interesting and helpful teacher
- Friendly, respectful classmates
- Relevant and interesting topics
- Understanding the classroom expectations
- Enjoyable lessons and activities
- Opportunities for success
- Being recognized for their accomplishments, big and small
Determine what you think is necessary for students to be successful in your classroom. What are you responsible for? What will you provide for your students on a daily basis? What is your philosophy for success? Here is an example of a discipline model I developed for my second grade class:
My name is Jackie Franke and I am a primary elementary teacher. My responsibility is to provide a positive, safe learning environment with enthusiasm, organization and a positive attitude each day. Every student has the right to feel safe and accepted, not concerned how others will treat them, and opportunities to work cooperatively to learn interesting information and excel in a nurturing and stimulating environment. A personal discipline model is crucial to the effectiveness of a classroom management plan and for students to thrive in their learning environment. I have created a personal discipline model to achieve this positive learning environment.
“It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge.”
Albert Einstein 1940
What are your personal “needs” or “likes” that you require to provide an optimum learning environment? Consider procedures and behaviors that you believe make your classroom run smoothly and productively. Listed below are some of my “needs” and “likes” for my classroom.
- A well ventilated room with a window for plants and science experiments to have the appropriate air temperature necessary to focus, feel comfortable and to see and feel the benefits of sunlight, green trees, and nature.
- Neat and tidy room with materials and supplies organized so students can learn responsibility for keeping track of their personal belongings, supplies, keeping their classroom neat, and strengthen their independent learning skills by being confident to gather their own supplies necessary for assignments.
- Students will raise their hands to speak and be respectful to those who are talking to learn to respect what others have to say and to know that what they have to say is important.
- Treat others the way you wish to be treated to encourage empathy for others and remind them to stop and think before they say or do something they would not want done to them.
- When the teacher is talking students are listening to encourage students to become better listeners to focus on the lesson and instructions.
- Students will do their best on all assignments and turn in quality work, written neatly, free of spelling errors, and in good condition to encourage students to take pride in their work.
- Entering the classroom in an orderly and quiet manner to show respect for the teacher and to understand that by walking through the door signals that the day has begun and it is time to learn.
- The classroom will be kept neat and clean throughout the day by keeping desks orderly, backpacks in cubbies, all books or materials off the floor to display pride and show cleanliness as well providing clear pathways to move about the room.
- Offer opportunities for all members of the classroom to voice their opinions or concerns in a safe environment, to encourage students to feel comfortable to speak out. This will build stronger relationships in the classroom community letting students know they belong and what they have to say is important.
- When students are greeted by me, another teacher or other students, they will respond by looking directly at the person and return the greeting to show respect for others as they acknowledge them as a member of the school community in order to build a stronger learning community.
We all have different “needs” and “likes” and some may not be possible. It is important to consider what makes you feel like you are providing the best possible learning environment.
Next, consider the behaviors and conditions that you dislike and often “push your buttons.” What conditions and behaviors do you find unacceptable? Students need to know what is not acceptable and the expected appropriate behaviors as well as why these behaviors and procedures are necessary.
The behaviors and conditions that I dislike:
- Dishonesty will break the line of trust. I trust my students and I want to keep that trust in them. Students need to be able to trust their classmates to have a positive learning environment.
- Rude comments, put-downs and insults directed toward students or faculty show a lack of respect for their classmates and authority. Students need to learn how important it is that to be respected they must show respect.
- Aggressive actions directed toward students or teachers create a hostile environment which can cause fear in others. Children must feel safe in their learning environment to focus and comprehend the subject matter.
- Blurting out answers is rude, causes resentment and does not give other students the opportunity to display their knowledge or opinion.
- Bullying students in class, on the playground and during lunch are continuous aggressive actions. Students who exhibit this behavior will create anxiety for classmates. The classroom climate will be tense and not allow for optimal learning experiences.
- Stealing classmate’s personal belongings causes hurt feelings and does not allow the opportunity for students to share special items that are dear to them with the class.
- Destruction of school property displays a lack of respect for the learning community and can create a financial hardship on the parents or school to repair or replace the damaged items. It is important for students to feel pride in their surroundings.
- Excluding others or isolating classmates does not allow students to feel a part of the group or included by others. This causes a negative attitude toward school and a poor learning climate which affects learning comprehension
- Leaving the room without permission is a safety concern for the student’s well-being.
- Students who do not share with others. The classroom and materials belong to everyone and must be shared to encourage cooperative learning.
I hope these suggestions for developing your own personal discipline plan are helpful to you in changing the climate in your classroom to help your victims, bystanders and to stop bullying behavior.
Next week: Five simple classroom expectations; Proactive steps to prevent behavior from happening; Positive consequences
Best regards,
Jackie
References
Beane, A. L. (2005). The bully free classroom: Over 100 tips and strategies for teachers K-8. Minnesota: Free Spirit Publishing.
Charles, C. M. (2008). Today’s best classroom management strategies: Paths to positive discipline. Boston, MA: Pearson Education.
